Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland released a statement Thursday, apologizing for making a "bad choice" by being out early Wednesday morning in New York. He was stabbed outside a nightclub.

He underwent surgery for injuries to his abdomen and left elbow.

His statement: "I want to thank all the fans, friends, teammates, coaches and the Pacers organization for their support and prayers during this time. I also want to apologize to everyone, particularly the NBA and the Pacers for my bad choice at being out at that time. I am doing as well as can be expected and I will work hard to make a full recovery."

He remained in a New York hospital Thursday in stable condition.

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NEW YORK — Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland suffered a puncture to his diaphragm and remained in an intensive care unit on Wednesday.

A source close to the situation told the Indianapolis Star that Copeland remained stabilized at Bellevue Hospital in New York. Copeland underwent surgery for injuries to his abdomen and left elbow during an early morning knife attack outside a trendy Chelsea nightclub.

According to a source, Copeland and his ex-fiancée, Katrine Saltara, were assaulted while waiting for their car outside of the 1OAK Club. The source denied earlier reports that Copeland and Saltara were arguing when the 22-year-old suspect interceded and a fight escalated into a knife attack.

"It wasn't even close to an argument," a source told The Star. "Chris did not initiate anything."

Shezoy Bleary, a suspect in the stabbing of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his girlfriend and another woman early Wednesday, is led from the NYPD's 10th Precinct in New York Wednesday, April. 8, 2015.(Photo: Craig Ruttle/AP)

In video obtained by TMZ, the altercation left Copeland bleeding on the pavement, while Saltara protected him and yelled: "We're both stabbed…We are scared for our lives!" The driver alerted nearby law enforcement. Police arrested Shevoy Bleary-Murdock at the scene and recovered a switchblade used in the attack. Bleary-Murdock was charged with three counts of felony assault and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Besides the stab wounds to his abdomen, Copeland also sustained an injury to his left elbow, which was described as an area highly susceptible to infections, according to the source. After the surgical procedure, Copeland's left elbow was heavily bandaged.

During the attack, Saltara sustained a gash on her elbow that may require cosmetic surgery. The source said she was "in great spirits" and would not leave the hospital until checking on Copeland. Saltara was released from Bellevue about 7 p.m., the source said.

Copeland's mother traveled from her home in Virginia to be by his side, according to the source.

Though teammates who were in town to play a game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening did not see Copeland, Paul George said they sent well wishes through the members of the training staff who could visit the hospital. George and Solomon Hill wore blue headbands, a trademark of Copeland's, in honor of their teammate during the Pacers' 102-86 win over the Knicks.

"That's what tonight was for. Just thinking about Cope," said George, who also revealed how he could not shake thoughts about his teammate's well being. "The whole night. I sit next to Cope every game. He's right next to me. For him not to be out there – I feel like all of our conversations are on the bench, so it was tough not seeing him and not having him right next to me. It's just unfortunate, he's the last guy I'd ever expect that to happen to."

Atlanta Hawks players Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha were detained for trying to prevent police from setting up a crime scene investigation. The Hawks play the Brooklyn Nets tonight in New York. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Hawks are looking into the incident.

Antic and Sefolosha were released without bail after a brief court appearance where they were charged with obstructing governmental authority and disorderly conduct. Their attorney, Alex Spiro, said they did not commit any crime.

"They should not have been arrested. We fully expect the case to be dismissed," he said.

The Hawks said neither Antic nor Sefolosha would play against the Nets. The players issued a joint statement through the team, apologizing for any embarrassment they caused.

"As members of the Atlanta Hawks, we hold ourselves to a high standard and take our roles as professionals very seriously," the statement said. "We will contest these charges and look forward to communicating the facts of the situation at the appropriate time."

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Shezoy Bleary, center, a suspect in the stabbing of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his girlfriend and another woman early Wednesday, is led from the NYPD's 10th Precinct in New York, Wednesday, April. 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Craig Ruttle, AP

A police officer walks past a crime scene near 1 Oak nightclub on West 20th Street where authorities say Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his wife and another woman were stabbed outside after an argument, early Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in New York. Police say the victims were hospitalized with minor injuries.
John Minchillo/AP

Pedestrians pass 1 Oak nightclub on West 20th Street in New York where authorities say Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his wife and another woman were stabbed on the street near the club, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Police say the victims were hospitalized Wednesday with minor injuries. Police say the player was stabbed in the abdomen, his wife slashed in the arm and across the breast.
John Minchillo/AP

Shezoy Bleary, a suspect in the stabbing of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his girlfriend and another woman early Wednesday, is seen through a window at the NYPD's 10th Precinct in New York Wednesday, April. 8, 2015, before he is led to a car.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Shezoy Bleary, a suspect in the stabbing of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his girlfriend and another woman early Wednesday, is led from the NYPD's 10th Precinct in New York Wednesday, April. 8, 2015.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Blood stains a vehicle and the pavement near 1 Oak nightclub on West 20th Street, in New York, where authorities say Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his wife and another woman were stabbed outside after an argument, early Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Police say the victims were hospitalized with minor injuries.
John Minchillo/AP

Police tape cordons off a crime scene outside 1 Oak nightclub on West 20th Street in New York, where authorities say Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his wife and another woman were stabbed outside after an argument, early Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Police say the victims were hospitalized with minor injuries.
John Minchillo/AP

Police officers stand guard near 1 Oak nightclub on West 20th Street in New York where authorities say Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his wife and another woman were stabbed outside after an argument, early Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Police say the victims were hospitalized with minor injuries.
John Minchillo/AP

Crime scene tape cordons off an area by 1 Oak nightclub on West 20th Street, in New York, where authorities say Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his wife and another woman were stabbed outside after an argument, early Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Police say the victims were hospitalized with minor injuries.
John Minchillo/AP

Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball player Pero Antic leaves a courthouse in New York, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Antic and teammate Thabo Sefolosha have been released after their arrest on charges they blocked officers from setting up a crime scene following the stabbing of Indiana Pacers' Chris Copeland.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball player Pero Antic leaves a courthouse in New York, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Antic and teammate Thabo Sefolosha were released after their arrest on charges they blocked officers from setting up a crime scene following the stabbing of Indiana Pacers' Chris Copeland.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball players Thabo Sefolosha, center, and Pero Antic, back left, leave a courthouse in New York, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. The players were released after their arrest on charges they blocked officers from setting up a crime scene following the stabbing of Indiana Pacers' Chris Copeland.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball player Thabo Sefolosha leaves a courthouse in New York, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Sefolosha and teammate Pero Antic were released after their arrest on charges they blocked officers from setting up a crime scene following the stabbing of Indiana Pacers' Chris Copeland.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball players Pero Antic, left, in hat, and Thabo Sefolosha, right, leave a courthouse in New York, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. The players were released after their arrest on charges they blocked officers from setting up a crime scene following the stabbing of Indiana Pacers' Chris Copeland.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball player Thabo Sefolosha, right, leaves a courthouse in New York, Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Sefolosha and teammate Pero Anticwere released after their arrest on charges they blocked officers from setting up a crime scene following the stabbing of Indiana Pacers' Chris Copeland.
Craig Ruttle/AP

Shezoy Bleary, a suspect in the stabbing of Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his girlfriend and another woman early Wednesday, is led from the NYPD's 10th Precinct in New York, Wednesday, April. 8, 2015.
Craig Ruttle/AP